Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Branch Circuits - Part One - Code Basics Content From Electrical Construction & Maintenance (EC&M) Magazine
Branch Circuits - Part One - Code Basics Content From Electrical Construction & Maintenance (EC&M) Magazine
com/code-basics/branch-circuits-part-one
REGISTER LOG IN
NEC Design Ops & Maintenance Contractor Safety Power Quality Training Basics
Products
HOME > NEC > CODE BASICS > BRANC H CIRC UITS - P ART O NE
841 Articles
Kill That Watt
Photo Galleries
SHARE Tweet COMMENTS 1 The Top 5 Highest
Paying States for
Electrical Engineers
Article 210 contains the requirements for conductor sizing, conductor identification, overcurrent
If you’re an electrical
protection, and GFCI and AFCI protection of branch circuits. It also contains requirements for receptacle
outlets and lighting outlets. The sidebar, Branching Out on page 60, lists other applicable Code sections engineer interested in
related to branch circuits. Branch circuits are the most commonly installed of all circuits, making your way to the
top of the pay scale, do you know which states lead the
Article 210 contains the requirements for conductor sizing, conductor identification, pack? If not, then check out this Photo Gallery based on
overcurrent protection, and GFCI and AFCI protection of branch circuits. It also data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational
contains requirements for receptacle outlets and lighting outlets. The sidebar,
“Branching Out” below, lists other applicable Code sections related to branch circuits.
More
called a strap. Locate it at the point where the branch circuit originates [210.7(B)] trade continues to be grounding and
bonding, which is why this book needs to be in the
(Fig. 2 on page 60). Individual single-pole circuit breakers with handle ties identified
hands...
for the purpose can be used for this application [240.20(B)(1)]. So can a breaker with a
common internal trip. This rule prevents people from working on energized circuits Changes to The NEC 2014
they thought were disconnected. Don't let the scale of the code changes
intimidate you, this book will get you up
to speed on the most essential...
Multiwire branch circuits that supply devices (or equipment) on the same yoke must
also be provided with a means to disconnect simultaneously all ungrounded conductors
that supply those devices (or equipment) at the point where the branch circuit
originates [210.4(B)] (Fig. 3).
Dwelling unit branch circuits can supply only loads within (or associated with) the
dwelling unit. Common area branch circuits for house lighting, central alarm, signal,
fire alarm, communications, or other public safety needs must not originate from any
single dwelling unit [210.25]. This rule prohibits common area branch circuits in
Sign-up to receive our free newsletters
two-family or multifamily dwellings from being supplied from an individual dwelling
unit. In addition, this prevents common area circuits from being turned off by eTrain - (Bi-Weekly) View Sample
individual tenants or by the utility because of nonpayment of electric bills. Product NewsWire - (Monthly) View
Sample
Identification. The grounded (neutral) conductor of a branch circuit must be
ElectricalZone - (Weekly) View Sample
identified per 200.6 [210.5]. Equipment grounding (bonding) conductors can be bare,
MRO Insider - (Bi-Weekly) View Sample
covered, or insulated. Insulated equipment grounding (bonding) conductors sized 6
AWG and smaller must have a continuous outer finish that is either green or green PQ NewsBeat - (Bi-Weekly) View
Sample
with one or more yellow stripes [250.119]. Equipment grounding (bonding) conductors
Illumination Insider - (Bi-Weekly) View
larger than 6 AWG, if insulated, can be permanently reidentified with green marking at
Sample
the time of installation. This marking has to be present at every point where the
CodeWatch - (Bi-Weekly) View Sample
conductor is accessible [250.119(A)].
G-Biz - (Varies) View Sample
Where premises wiring systems contain branch circuits supplied from more than one Electrical Testing - (Monthly) View
voltage system, each ungrounded conductor (where accessible), must be identified by Sample
system. Identification can be by color-coding, marking tape, tagging, or other means E-MAIL*
approved by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Such identification must be
COUNTRY*
permanently posted at each branch-circuit panelboard or distribution equipment
Enter your email above to receive messages about
[210.5(C)]. The NEC does not require any particular color scheme (such as black, red, offerings by Penton, its brands, affiliates and/or
third-party partners, consistent with Penton’s Privacy
and blue for 120/208V, or brown, orange, and yellow for 277/480V). Policy.
Conductors with insulation that is green or green with one or more yellow stripes
cannot be used for an ungrounded or grounded (neutral) conductor [250.119]. See the
sidebar, “Phase Identification,” below, for the normal wire marking color scheme.
Voltage limitations. In dwelling units (and in guest rooms or guest suites of hotels,
motels, and similar occupancies), the branch-circuit voltage can't exceed 120V Connect With Us
(nominal), if those circuits are [210.6(A)]: luminaires or cord-and-plug connected
loads rated not more than 1,440 volt-amperes (VA), or less than ¼ horsepower.
In nondwelling units, you can use 277V (phase-to-ground) circuits to supply any of the
following [210.6(C)]:
Conductor sizing. You must size conductors no less than 125% of the continuous
loads, plus 100% of the noncontinuous loads [210.19]. Base this on the terminal
temperature rating ampacities as listed in Table 310.16 before any ampacity
adjustment [110.14(C)].
210.21(B)(3).
The total cord-and-plug connected load must not exceed 80% of the receptacle
rating [210.21(B)(2)].
Receptacles must have an ampere rating that complies with the values listed in
Table 210.21(B)(3) (Fig. 4).
Permissible loads. An individual branch circuit can supply any load for which it's
rated [210.23]. A multioutlet branch circuit can supply only lighting and/or equipment
loads as summarized in Table 210.24 and as specified in 210.19, 210.20, and 210.21. If
you're installing a multioutlet branch circuit, read those requirements carefully.
Cord-and-plug connected equipment not fastened in place, such as a drill press or table
saw, for example, must not have an ampere rating more than 80% of the branch-circuit
rating [210.23(A)(1)]. UL and other testing laboratories list portable equipment (such
as hair dryers) up to 100% of the circuit rating. The NEC is an installation standard,
not a product standard, so it cannot prohibit this practice. There really is no way to
limit the load to 80% of the branch-circuit rating if testing laboratories permit
equipment to be listed for 100% of the circuit rating.
Equipment fastened in place (not a luminaire) must not be rated more than 50% of the
branch-circuit ampere rating if this circuit supplies luminaries, other receptacles, or
both [210.23(A)(2).
To keep your mind clear when sizing conductors for branch circuits, remember that the
OCPD defines the circuit. If a 20A circuit contains 8 AWG conductors because of
voltage drop, it is still a 20A circuit — the size of the OCPD determines the rating of the
branch circuit. That's because the conductors must be able to handle the current
supplied by the OCPD. Going forward, you should now be able to handle branch-circuit
requirements.
Appliances [422.10]
Motors [430.22]
Signs [600.5]
Electricians often use the following color system for power and lighting conductor
identification:
277/480V, 3-phase — brown, orange, yellow, and gray; or, brown, purple, yellow,
and gray
SHARE Tweet
Figure 4: The problem with the figure presented is listed cord-connected equipment
utilizing NEMA 5-15 plug and cord sets will not be protected if interfaced with the NEMA
5-15 receptacle, and as defined by NEC. What good is a Certificate of Occupancy if the
user's listed appliances (TV's, computers, coffee makers, etc.) are not protected? Your
expample (Fig. 4) is a preventable life safety shock and fire hazard waiting to happen! As
long as you don't interface a listed appliance with the NEMA 5-15 receptacle, it's a
non-problem. What are the odds that no-one would?
Related Articles
Ecmweb.com
NEC Design Ops & Maintenance Contractor Safety Power Quality Training Basics Products